Results
Title

The Impact on Mental Health of Losing an Only Child and the Influence of Social Support and Resilience.

Authors

Cao, Xiancai; Yang, Chongming; Wang, Dahua

Abstract

The number of parents who have lost their only child (PLOCs) has increased annually with the implementation of the birth control policy in mainland China. This study aimed to investigate the mental health status of PLOCs and the influence of social support and resilience. Study 1 recruited 100 PLOCs and 88 nonbereaved parents, and compared differences in depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Study 2 investigated the influence of social support and resilience on the mental health of PLOCs via a mediating model. Results indicate that PLOCs reported more anxiety and depression symptoms than nonbereaved counterparts. Perceived close family support, objective support, and resilience negatively predicted anxiety and depression. In addition, perceived close family support was found to influence mental health via resilience. The current findings reveal that losing an only child has long-term negative impacts on the mental health of PLOCs. However, perceived close family support and objective support can protect their mental health either directly or indirectly via resilience.

Subjects

DIAGNOSIS of mental depression; MENTAL illness prevention; MENTAL illness risk factors; ANXIETY; BEREAVEMENT; CHILD mortality; LONELINESS; PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience; RISK assessment; ATTITUDES toward death; SOCIAL support; PARENT attitudes

Publication

Omega: Journal of Death & Dying, 2020, Vol 80, Issue 4, p666

ISSN

0030-2228

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1177/0030222818755284